Taurine was discovered in ox (Bos taurus) bile and was named after taurus, or bull. A nonessential amino acid-like compound, taurine is found in high amounts in the tissues of many animals, especially sea animals, and in much lower levels in plants, fungi, and some bacteria. Taurine is important in several metabolic processes of the body, including stabilizing cell membranes in electrically active tissues, such as the brain and heart. It also has functions in the gallbladder, eyes, and blood vessels, and may have some antioxidant and detoxifying properties.

Some energy drinks contain Taurine, including Red Bull®. Numerous studies suggest Red Bull® and similar energy drinks may be effective in reducing fatigue, and improving mood and endurance. However, these drinks contain other ingredients, which may also offer benefit in these areas, including caffeine and glucuronolactone. The effect of taurine alone in energy drinks has not been studied. Thus, the effectiveness of taurine in energy drinks is unclear and further research is still required.

Several taurine derivatives are being studied for medical use for seizures, cancer, and liver disorders.

The efficacy of taurine has been studied for diabetes, high blood pressure, cystic fibrosis, liver disorders, cardiovascular disorders, and nutritional support. Taurine is added to many infant formulas based on the decreased ability to form taurine in infants; however, although promising in many fields, additional study is needed before a firm conclusion can be made for these uses.

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

GRADE *

Early evidence suggests that taurine may aid in auditory maturation, fatty acid absorption, and increased serum taurine levels. However, additional study is needed in this area.

B

In early research, a combination antioxidant and omega-3 fatty acid nutritional supplement containing taurine demonstrated beneficial effects on visual acuity in individuals with dry age-related macular degeneration. Although promising, the results are limited by the small amout of research in this area and by the lack taurine therapy alone. Further research is needed before any firm conclusions can be made.

C

Taurine deficiency may lead to abnormal heart rhythm. Cases of individuals with frequent arrhythmias have shown that 10-20g of taurine daily prevented certain heart arrhythmias, although the prevention of pauses was lacking. Although promising, well-controlled clinical trials investigating taurine for this use are needed before any firm conclusions can be made.

C

Early research suggests that taurine may be beneficial as an add-on to traditional medications for symptoms of congestive heart failure. Taurine may be superior to coenzyme Q10, although further study is warranted to confirm these findings.

C

The interest in taurine for individuals with cystic fibrosis is based on its potential to increase effects of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), as well as its potential to increase nutritional status. However, results are mixed. More study is needed to drawn a firm recommendation in this area.

C

In early research, taurine (Twinlab®) showed variable effects on the endothelial function of type 1 diabetic patients, including reductions in flow mediated dilation and augmentation index, but a lack of effect on blood pressure, heart rate, and ejection duration. Further research is needed before any firm conclusions can be made in this area.

C

It has been proposed that diabetes patients have decreased taurine levels. Currently, there is limited available evidence to conclude for or against the use of taurine in the treatment of diabetes.

C

In early research, taurine-containing eye drops reduced protein levels in the tear pools of contact lens wearers. According to investigators, these results suggest that taurine reduces the production of tear proteins likely involved in contact lens-induced dry eye. Although promising, research in this area is limited, and further research is needed before any firm conclusions can be made.

C

In early research, taurine has demonstrated beneficial additive effects when used with conventional medications. Although promising, the results are limited, and further high research is needed.

C

Energy drinks containing taurine, along with other ingredients such as caffeine and glucuronolactone, have been available for about a decade. Overall these drinks have been suggested to decrease sleepiness associated with driving, increase concentration, mood, and memory, and positively affect well-being and vitality. Further study is required to examine the effect of taurine alone.

C

Early evidence suggests that taurine may be beneficial in people with seizures. However, additional study is needed in this area.

C

Taurine, both alone and in combination with other agents commonly found in energy drinks, has been investigated for its effects on exercise performance. Variable effects, if any, were seen in early research with taurine alone, although, beneficial effects from combination studies were mainly supportive of taurine's effects for exercise performance. Further research is needed for this indication before any firm conclusions can be made.

C

Taurine may offer benefit to individuals fed a high fat and high cholesterol diet. More study is needed to make a firm conclusion.

C

Early results suggest that taurine may be beneficial in lowering blood pressure in individuals with borderline hypertension. Additional study is needed before a firm conclusion can be made.

C

Early study suggests that taurine aids in the ability of iron supplements to increase hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and serum ferritin. Additional study is needed before a firm conclusion can be made.

C

Currently, the evidence in support of taurine in liver disease is small and additional research with positive results is needed before a firm conclusion can be made.

C

Mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA. Early research has suggested beneficial effects; but, although findings are promising, further research is necessitated.

C

In early research, taurine has shown variable effects on mental performance. Further research investigating the effects of taurine monotherapy is needed before any firm conclusions can be made in this area.

C

In early research, taurine in combination with branched chain amino acids (BCAA) suggested a positive effect against exercise-induced muscle soreness. Although promising, available research is limited in this area and the effects of taurine alone are unclear. Further research is needed in this area.

C

Early research indicates that taurine may result in improvements in myotonic complaints. Although promising, additional study is needed to confirm these findings.

C

The use of taurine has been examined in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in various areas (trauma, cancer, and long term care). Early research is promising, but more study is needed in this area.

C

Currently, there is insufficient available evidence to conclude for or against the use of taurine in the treatment of obesity. Further research is required in this field before conclusions can be made.

C

Taurine may act as an antioxidant. The results from early research are encouraging; however, more trials are needed in this field before a firm conclusion can be made.

C

Currently, there is insufficient available evidence to make a conclusion for or against the use of taurine as a vaccine adjunct.

C

Taurine supplementation may reduce visual fatigue. Until further information is available, no firm conclusion can be made.

C

* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this useB: Good scientific evidence for this useC: Unclear scientific evidence for this useD: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory
The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

For arrhythmias, 10-20 milligrams of taurine has been taken by mouth daily for unknown durations.

For mental performance, 2 grams of taurine has been taken by mouth as a single, acute dose after 24 hours sleep deprivation, with lack of beneficial effect on cognitive performance.

For congestive heart failure, 3-6 grams of taurine has been taken by mouth daily for up to one year. In addition, 500 milligrams of taurine (Solgar®) has been taken by mouth three times daily for two weeks.

For cystic fibrosis, 18-22 milligrams per kilogram has been used by mouth daily for six months in combination with UDCA with lack of benefit compared to treatment with UDCA alone. Capsules of taurine providing 30 milligrams per kilogram have been taken by mouth daily for four months.

For diabetes mellitus type 1, tablets containing 500 milligrams of taurine (Twinlab®) have been taken by mouth three times daily for 14 days.

For diabetes mellitus type 2, 1,000-1,500 milligrams of taurine has been taken by mouth daily in divided doses for 30-90 days.

For dry eyes, an eye drop solution containing 0.05% of taurine has been used for five weeks.

For duodenal ulcers, As an add-on to conventional triple therapy (20 milligrams of omeprazole, 500 milligrams of clarithromycin, and 1,000 milligrams of amoxicillin twice daily), 500 milligrams of taurine (dibicor) has been taken twice daily for seven days, followed subsequently for an additional six week period in combination with 20 milligrams omeprazole.

For energy, a single dose of 2,000 milligrams of taurine has been consumed by mouth as part of a 500 milliliter drink.

For epilepsy (seizures), 200 milligrams per kilogram has been taken intravenously for 15 days, then once a week for six weeks.

For exercise performance, a single dose of 1,000 milligrams of taurine has been taken by mouth with 250 milliliters of water two hours prior to a simulated running test with lack of beneficial effects. Two 1 gram taurine capsules (containing 0.83 grams of taurine each; NOW® Taurine Free-Form Amino Acid) have been consumed by mouth with 500 milliliters of Crystal Light® prior to a cycling test with lack of beneficial effects. 500 milligrams of taurine (Solgar®) has been taken by mouth three times daily for two weeks.

For high cholesterol, 6 grams of taurine powder has been taken by mouth daily for three weeks.

For high blood pressure, 3-6 grams of taurine has been taken by mouth daily for seven days to two months.

For iron deficiency anemia, 1,000 milligrams of taurine has been taken by mouth daily for 20 weeks.

For liver disease, 2-4 grams of taurine has been taken by mouth three times daily for up to three months. In addition, 1.5 grams taurine has been taken by mouth in two back-to-back cycles of two months with lack of beneficial effect.

For MELAS syndrome, 0.25 grams per kilogram has been taken by mouth daily for an unknown duration.

For muscle soreness, a powder containing 2 grams of taurine has been taken by mouth three times daily with meals for 18 days with lack of beneficial effect on delayed onset muscle soreness following high-intensity exercise.

For myotonic dystrophy, 100-150 milligrams per kilogram has been taken by mouth for six months.

For nutritional support (TPN), 10 milligrams per kilogram has been used daily by adding it to total parenteral nutrition for 24 months.

For obesity, 3 grams of taurine has been taken by mouth daily for seven weeks.

For surgery, 5 grams of taurine has been taken intravenously as a single rapid dose 1-3 hours prior to surgery.

For vaccine adjunct, 9 grams of taurine has been taken by mouth on the same day and one day prior to receiving the flu vaccine.

For visual fatigue, 3 grams of taurine has been taken by mouth daily for 12 days.

Children (under 18 years old)

For cystic fibrosis, 30-40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight has been taken by mouth daily for seven days to six months. 500-1,500 milligrams of taurine has been taken daily for one year with lack of beneficial effects.

For nutritional supplementation (infant formula), a formula containing 30-65 milligrams per liter or 10.8 milligrams per kilogram have been used by mouth daily for periods of 20 days to 16 weeks with lack of beneficial effect on weight gain, length, head circumference, visual acuity, or auditory acuity. Formula supplemented with 6 milligrams per deciliter and 40 micromoles per deciliter of taurine has been taken by mouth until three months of age or taken for three months in low birth weight infants. Formula supplemented with 470 micromoles per liter of taurine has been used by mouth for six days in pre-term and full term infants. 45 milligrams per liter of taurine added to Similac Special Care® formula in low weight infants has been used by mouth until release from hospital or infant attained weight of 2,500 grams. Aminosyn®-PF or Trophamine® intravenous formulations containing doses of taurine ranging from 6-21.6 milligrams per kilogram have been used daily with lack of benefit on conjugated bilirubin levels.

For nutritional support (TPN), 10.8 milligrams per kilogram has been taken by mouth daily during the first 10 days of life.

Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Allergies

Taurine is an amino acid and it is unlikely that there are allergies related to this constituent. However, allergies may occur from multi-ingredient products that contain taurine.

Side Effects and Warnings

Taurine is likely safe when used by mouth in adults at 3 grams daily for up to one year.

Taurine is possibly safe when used by mouth in children at 30 milligram per kilogram daily for up to four months.

Taurine may cause changes in blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs or herbs and supplements that lower blood pressure.

Taurine may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in people with diabetes or low blood sugar, and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Blood sugar levels may need to be monitored by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, and medication adjustments may be necessary.

Taurine may increase the risk of bleeding. Caution is advised in people with bleeding disorders or taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.

Use cautiously in people with high VLDL cholesterol or high triglycerides due to potential for further increases. Also use cautiously in people on cholesterol lowering agents due to potential for conflicting effects.

Use cautiously in people with the potential for mania.

Use cautiously in combination with agents processed by the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system or agents that affect gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity.

Use cautiously in people with seizure disorders, as taurine derivatives, specifically taltrimide, may increase seizure frequency.

Avoid consuming excessive amounts of energy drinks containing taurine, caffeine, glucuronolactone, B vitamins, and other ingredients, then consuming alcohol or exercising, due to deaths most likely from dehydration and cardiac arrest.

Avoid use if pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence, although taurine is a natural component of breast milk.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Avoid use if pregnant or breastfeeding women due to a lack of available scientific evidence, although taurine is a natural component of breast milk.

Taurine may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary

Taurine may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®).

Taurine may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be altered in the blood, and alter the intended effects. People taking any medications should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.

Taurine may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary

Taurine may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®).

Taurine may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be altered in the blood, and alter the intended effects. People taking any medications should check the package insert and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions

Koletzko B, Bhutta ZA, Cai W, et al. Compositional requirements of follow-up formula for use in infancy: recommendations of an international expert group coordinated by the Early Nutrition Academy. Ann Nutr Metab 2013;62(1):44-54.

The information in this monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. Information is based on review of scientific research data, historical practice patterns, and clinical experience. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions.